Is Money Too Expensive?
Certainly not.
At 1.5%, rates are historically low.
And the problem isn't the cost of credit, its the availability of credit.
From a macro perspective, there is no reason to cut more than 25bps...leave a little dry powder for next month. (Good discussion yesterday at Real Time Economics)
Rate decision in 5 minutes.
~~~
UPDATE: October 29, 2008 2:18pm
50 BPS CUT, RISK REMAINS TO GROWTH
Federal Reserve cuts interest rates to 1% -- the lowest levels since 2003.
The Federal Open Market Committee decided today to lower its target for the federal funds rate 50 basis points to 1 percent.
The pace of economic activity appears to have slowed markedly, owing importantly to a decline in consumer expenditures. Business equipment spending and industrial production have weakened in recent months, and slowing economic activity in many foreign economies is damping the prospects for U.S. exports. Moreover, the intensification of financial market turmoil is likely to exert additional restraint on spending, partly by further reducing the ability of households and businesses to obtain credit.
In light of the declines in the prices of energy and other commodities and the weaker prospects for economic activity, the Committee expects inflation to moderate in coming quarters to levels consistent with price stability.
Recent policy actions, including today’s rate reduction, coordinated interest rate cuts by central banks, extraordinary liquidity measures, and official steps to strengthen financial systems, should help over time to improve credit conditions and promote a return to moderate economic growth. Nevertheless, downside risks to growth remain. The Committee will monitor economic and financial developments carefully and will act as needed to promote sustainable economic growth and price stability.
Voting for the FOMC monetary policy action were: Ben S. Bernanke, Chairman; Timothy F. Geithner, Vice Chairman; Elizabeth A. Duke; Richard W. Fisher; Donald L. Kohn; Randall S. Kroszner; Sandra Pianalto; Charles I. Plosser; Gary H. Stern; and Kevin M. Warsh.
In a related action, the Board of Governors unanimously approved a 50-basis-point decrease in the discount rate to 1-1/4 percent. In taking this action, the Board approved the requests submitted by the Boards of Directors of the Federal Reserve Banks of Boston, New York, Cleveland, and San Francisco.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 | 02:11 PM | Permalink
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Agreed Barry but the me-thinks the market tanks with only a 25 bps rate cut....at very least, a 50bps cut is baked in here.
We shall find out soon enough though.
Posted by: Jeff M. | Oct 29, 2008 2:13:57 PM
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